So, I’m reading the second book of The Maze Runner series. I’m a writer and I like learning about other writers, so I did some research on the creator of the series, James Dashner. I came across something really fascinating last night. He was documenting his author journey in a blogspot blog he called “The…
Archives for November 2017
Taking the “I” Out of Discernment
Two questions you might ask in discerning God’s will: 1) Lord, what do you want me to do? 2) Lord, what do you want? There is a hint of selfishness in that first question. That’s why the second way to discern God’s will is even better. When we seek out God’s will objectively, then we…
Book Elevator Pitch Template: How to Explain What Your Book is About
I probably get the question once or twice a week. People know I’m a writer so it almost always comes up in conversation. “So, are you working on a book?” Filled with dread about the next question, I answer, “Yes, actually.” “What’s it about?” Most of the time I fumble through a wandering explanation of…
Imitation vs. Impersonation of Christ
“Sometimes methods and programs of meditation are aimed simply at this: learning to play a religious role. The idea of ‘imitation’ of Christ and of the saints can degenerate into mere impersonation, if it remains only exterior.” Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer, 69 Remember the WWJD? bracelets? The idea is pretty simple: ask yourself frequently throughout…
The Somebody-Nobody Syndrome
As Carol Dweck’s research has shown, each of us has two kinds of mindsets: a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. I’ve always thought about the difference between the two mindsets like this: Growth Mindset: See intelligence as something that can grow like a muscle. See failure as an opportunity to learn. Fixed Mindset: See…
